Counterfeit Hero

”Really?” The little kid, feeling incredibly bored, jumped up, his curly hair bouncing. His big eyes looked at Russell flipping through the electronic folder with excitement: ”Are you saying I can access the civilian network?”

”Yes!” Russell didn’t lift his head, responding calmly, ”With your abilities, you shouldn’t have any problems with being tracked. This civilian network is for you alone to use. Your mission is to find a way to contact Tian Xingjian through the civilian network without exposing us. We don’t have much time left.”

”No problem.” The little kid hopped off the sofa, pounding his chest with his fists: ”I guarantee the mission’s completion.”

”Don’t be careless. We absolutely cannot expose ourselves now.” Russell raised his head, gazing quietly at the little kid: ”The civilian network in this Star Domain is under Western Alliance control. Any suspicious activity, and they will latch onto it tightly.”

”For others, this might be impossible. However...” The little kid smugly raised half an eyebrow: ”For Lord Fart, it’s really too simple. Who has the ability to monitor my main program?”

”No!” Russell frowned: ”Your main program cannot leave this body. The fleet’s central computer relies on your control. Without you, the fleet’s capabilities would drop by more than half. Moreover, you do have weaknesses. If the network suddenly cuts out where you’ve been, you’ll be trapped...”

He opened the file cabinet behind him, taking out a document and placing it on the table: ”Take a look at this first!”

”What is it?” The little kid picked up the document, confused.

”This is the SkyNet surveillance data sent back from Gazalin and Binart’s economic statistics over the years.” Russell said, ”The military laboratory’s research and analysis of this data show some similarities to the traces of your program.”

”What?!” The little kid was startled, quickly inserting the data plug into the electronic folder and started browsing.

”Even when I was still the Commander of the Gazalin Army, I had suspicions about certain anomalies with SkyNet.” Russell stood up, speaking slowly: ”The Empire’s control over Gazalin is far too strict. So strict that I even suspected the Royal Family might be betraying itself. That’s not normal behavior. But back then, I couldn’t imagine the existence of Artificial Intelligence.”

”Until I learned of your existence and accidentally heard about the rumors from over thirty years ago that someone in Binart claimed to have encountered Artificial Intelligence, that’s when I started to take it seriously.” Russell paced back and forth in the room: ”I had Major General Bonnie extract the data and compare it with yours in the military lab. The results weren’t obvious, but if we look into Binart’s development trajectory over the past thirty years after their defeat, we have reason to believe they either possess a supercomputer powerful enough to surpass this era, or...”

Russell looked at the little kid, speaking deliberately, ”They also possess Artificial Intelligence!”

”I can feel this guy... compared to my pure and innocent self, he’s very cunning! He even spies!” The little kid looked seriously at Russell: ”Why didn’t you show me earlier?”

”I was merely suspicious at first.” Russell said, ”By the time I got this document, Brody had already launched a coup. Besides, I wasn’t sure whether to tell you or not since you’re different from us. I can hardly know what you’re thinking.”

”So why are you showing me now?” The little kid asked, puzzled.

”I saw Ann Lei’s mom feeding you buns...” Russell smiled slightly, ”Even though you’re already tired of eating them.”

”I’ve been trying very hard to integrate into this world.” The little kid shrugged. The mature tone didn’t match his cute and tiny appearance at all: ”Artificial Intelligence also has feelings.”

”The fleet can’t do without you, but we must set out soon, break through the blockade, and join forces with Tian Xingjian on Mars.” Russell said, ”All the preparations are complete; now it’s just waiting for you to get in touch with him.”

Picking up the intelligence from the table, Russell said, ”This is the latest information collected from the route. The Fei Alliance has sent a Major General to Mars to form the Mars Front Army. Three Chuckna fleets will cooperate with this unit in combat. The Western Alliance has also reinforced its deployment on the main route. Both sides are clearly headed for a fierce battle, and this is our chance to leave here.”

”Sending a Major General to pick peaches?” The little kid curled his lips: ”Fatty will make this guy cry.”

”I believe the most he needs now is the strength led by us.” Russell said slowly, ”To establish a foothold on Mars, to survive between the two major camps, we need sufficient strength. And we, trying to pass through the Saleria Longbow Star System, will also face a tough battle. Whether or not we can lead a complete fleet to join up with Tian Xingjian relates to the entire Leray’s future.”

”If I can’t use my program... then, there’s only one way to find Fatty.” A strange smile appeared on the little kid’s innocent face.

”What way?”

”Sky-Filling Fire...” The little kid’s lips slowly curved to his ears: ”And then use Fatty’s number to create a bloodbath.”

*******************************************************************************

On the virtual screen, the simulated combat exercise had ended once again. Rows of statistical data rolled out.

”Sister Xiang...” Fatty threw away the apple core in his hand, burped, smacked his lips, and sighed: ”It seems you’re still not suitable for playing this mutual destruction thing. A few more rounds and I guess you’ll turn mutual destruction into suicide.”